IkeaShark's Customs (Updated 15th April 2015)

Palomino stallion from Schleich Andalusian stallion. This is my first custom so I know there's a lot I could improve on, but I'm not sure specifically how to. I don't think I've ever painted such a big model, my only experience is from Warhammer painting. I used acrylics here, and he'll be sealed in a matte varnish tomorrow.

Well done ikeashark :)For first repaint it is realy realy great I start to make repaints since last year...and until today ,I improved a lot, my skills :)Perhaps, will be a good for your improvement, if you watch the repaints of the other members here.Especially the repainted horses..we have so talented people here :)You can lurn a lot form them :)))

Your photos were a little large, so I resized them for you. 800px is good

Most people start with curio scale models and complain about painting smaller models, not the other way around Not bad for your first try!

What medium are you working in? Acrylics? I would water down the paint more so you don't get those brushstrokes. Try to blend that muzzle a little more and add shading to the model. Always always always work from a reference. The hooves should be a lighter color as well.

Check out [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] tutorial for painting the eyes

I love palominos also. They look more gentle than other colours, even if I know it is superstition, and they probably aren't

As LeeAnn says, the hooves should perhaps be a little bit more white/greay ( just a little), - my Palominos have had the same colour hooves as chestnuts do, - but he can have had his hooves greased for showing , of course

Thank you everyone! Palominos are my favourites in terms of colour, though I have a real soft spot for all kinds of paints.

Sorry about the huge pictures, I wasn't sure how to resize them without distorting it.

LeeAnn, would it work if I painted the first couple layers darker and then worked up to light so that all the nooks and crannies are darker than the rest? or is it better to start light and add shading gradually?

I think most of my mistakes (the thick paint and the lack of blending on the muzzle) were because I was a bit impatient! I ended up forgetting to look at my reference when I was doing the muzzle and hooves... I tried to use that tutorial for the eyes, but even my fine brush was too big or the paint was too thick and I ended up getting blotches outside the eye. Guess I just need practice

Sorry about the huge pictures, I wasn't sure how to resize them without distorting it.

LeeAnn, would it work if I painted the first couple layers darker and then worked up to light so that all the nooks and crannies are darker than the rest? or is it better to start light and add shading gradually?

I think most of my mistakes (the thick paint and the lack of blending on the muzzle) were because I was a bit impatient! I ended up forgetting to look at my reference when I was doing the muzzle and hooves... I tried to use that tutorial for the eyes, but even my fine brush was too big or the paint was too thick and I ended up getting blotches outside the eye. Guess I just need practice

The photos are no big deal, don't worry about it. I just GIMP to resize my photos.

Start light and make your base coat, then do details. It's very hard to work from a dark base on a light color. I work in pastels, so on a palomino I would start with a very pale yellow and gradually add darker pigments. Assuming you're working in acrylics, it's the same principle. Lots and lots of very thin layers. It's easy to get impatient, I do it on every single horse! Eventually you begin to realize that rushing isn't going to make the horse look any better when it's done, so just slow yourself down.

Oh yes, practice definitely makes a big difference! My first few weren't very good

I've changed the thread title, since I'll be updating this thread with my new customs.

This is a Sabino Clydesdale, customised from a Papo 2004 Clydesdale stallion. I haven't done any shading on him because I'm not quite sure at the moment how to do it without messing up the colouring. My dad suggested using a wash paint (flesh wash, from warhammer paints) but I'm not sure, I'm really wary of ruining him!

It is great to see how beautyfully you saved this lovely, long-retired model

Not only did you make a wonderful job of painting a rare Sabino and give him a new "life". He always looked a bit sad, I think, - now he looks strong and proud

I my opinion it would be a darned shame to make shades on him He is so great as he is .I can't repaint, but if even LeeAnn says it is hard to make such a fine sabino, I believe her !!!!Please, please leave him as he is now

Coarse fur sure is a struggle! Paint doesn't like getting in the little nooks and crannies. I'm getting some gloss varnish in the post in the next couple days so I'll put a little of that over his eyes and nostrils (and on the other cms I've done).

Going to try and sell this little guy and a few of the upcoming ones :)

Great to see another artist on forum! Your repaints looks already very good but as you intend to improve, this forum is surely the best place to hsare experiences and to give wings to talents like yours.

Yeah I like it too - he's much like the SE from the shetlander set! What a pretty color Hey as you get the gloss that you'll use for the eyes, can you take a photo of it or tell me the brand please? I should get some good gloss too xo :)

_________________Jonas

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Yeah I like it too - he's much like the SE from the shetlander set! What a pretty color Hey as you get the gloss that you'll use for the eyes, can you take a photo of it or tell me the brand please? I should get some good gloss too xo :)

Sure! I bought Windsor & Newton Galeria Gloss acrylic varnish. It's kind of subtle and I couldn't get a good photograph, but I think that's because my matte varnish seems to be a tad shiny. It wasn't too expensive, for 75ml.